Inadequacy of Optical Smoke Measurements for Characterization of Non-Light Absorbing Particulate Matter Emissions from Gas Turbine Engines

Author

Lucas Rye
Prem Lobo, Missouri University of Science and TechnologyFollow
Paul I. Williams
I. Uryga-Bugajska
Simon Christie
Chris W. Wilson
Donald E. Hagen, Missouri University of Science and TechnologyFollow
Philip D. Whitefield, Missouri University of Science and TechnologyFollow
Simon Blakey
H. Coe
David W. Raper
M. Pourkashanian

Abstract

Analysis of particulate matter (PM) emissions from gas turbine engines, using the conventional smoke number (SN) technique, provides a measure of plume visibility. In this study, PM emissions were sampled from the exhaust of a small gas turbine engine, burning Jet A-1, and Biodiesel. SN results indicated that biodiesel significantly reduced visible emissions. Analysis of PM number and mass concentrations using a differential mobility spectrometer found that although nonvolatile PM was significantly reduced, biodiesel combustion produced a high fraction of volatile PM. Concurrent aerosol mass spectrometer measurements established that the condensable material was organic in composition. The condensation of volatile organics, not captured by the SN technique, significantly increased the total PM emissions. Application of the Society of Automotive Engineers Aerospace Recommended Practice 1179d for gas turbine engines is limited to visible plume characterization and thus is inadequate when combustion produces a large fraction of volatile or non-light absorbing PM emissions.

Recommended Citation

L. Rye and P. Lobo and P. I. Williams and I. Uryga-Bugajska and S. Christie and C. W. Wilson and D. E. Hagen and P. D. Whitefield and S. Blakey and H. Coe and D. W. Raper and M. Pourkashanian, "Inadequacy of Optical Smoke Measurements for Characterization of Non-Light Absorbing Particulate Matter Emissions from Gas Turbine Engines," Combustion Science and Technology, vol. 184, no. 12, pp. 2068 - 2083, Taylor & Francis, Dec 2012.

The definitive version is available at https://doi.org/10.1080/00102202.2012.697499

Department(s)

Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering

Second Department

Physics

Third Department

Chemistry

International Standard Serial Number (ISSN)

0010-2202

Document Type

Article - Journal

Document Version

Citation

File Type

text

Language(s)

English

Rights

© 2012 Taylor & Francis, All rights reserved.

Publication Date

01 Dec 2012